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Christian Education
God that they can be channels of light,—in short, Christian gentlemen.
The good impressions made by such will never be effaced; and the
training thus given will endure throughout eternity. What is neglected
in this training process is likely to remain undone. Who will undertake
this work? We would that there were strong young men, rooted and
grounded in the faith, who had such a living connection with God that
they could, if so counseled by our leading brethren, enter the higher
colleges in our land, where they would have a wider field for study and
observation. Association with different classes of minds, an acquain-
tance with the workings and results of popular methods of education,
and a knowledge of theology as taught in the leading institutions of
learning, would be of great value to such workers, preparing them to
labor for the educated classes, and to meet the prevailing errors of our
time. Such was the method pursued by the ancient Waldenses; and, if
true to God, our youth, like theirs, might do a good work, even while
gaining their education, in sowing the seeds of truth in other minds....
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We see the need of encouraging higher ideas of education, and of
employing more trained men in the ministry. Those who do not obtain
the right kind of education before they enter upon God’s work, are not
competent to accept this holy trust, and to carry forward the work of
reformation. Yet all should continue their education after they engage
in the work. They must have the word of God abiding in them. We
need more cultivation, refinement, and nobility of soul in our laborers.
Such an improvement as this would show results in eternity....
Efforts must be made to fit young men for the work. They must
come to the front, to lift burdens and responsibilities. Those who are
now young must become strong men. They must be able to plan and
give counsel. The word of God abiding in them, will make them pure,
and will fill them with faith, hope, courage, and devotion. The work
is now greatly retarded because men are carrying responsibilities for
which they are unfitted. Shall this great want continue and increase?
Shall these great responsibilities drop from the hands of old, experi-
enced workers, into the hands of those unable to manage them? Are
we not neglecting a very important work by failing to educate and train
our youth to fill positions of trust?
Let the workers be educated, but at the same time let them be meek
and lowly of heart. Let us elevate the work to the highest possible